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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Chris Ragona, Director of Community Services
DATE: January 23, 2025
SUBJECT:
A Resolution Approving of the 2025 Quality of Life Grants in the Amount of $910,773
PURPOSE:
To approve the 2025 Quality of Life Grants by resolution. This approval is necessary in order to award and process 2025 grants.
BACKGROUND:
The Quality of Life Grant (QOL) application process opened on August 29, 2024 and closed on October 4, 2024. For 2025, the total Quality of Life funding available is $1,137,000. City staff outreach efforts included notifications to prior and current QOL recipients and prospective first-time applicants. The following table outlines the City’s outreach efforts:
|
Outreach Opportunity |
Date |
|
Pre-Application Announcement Email - Notice #1 |
8-15-2024 |
|
Beacon Newspaper Advertisement |
8-18-2024 |
|
Community Resource Team Email |
8-20-2024 |
|
Community Resource Team Social Media Post |
8-20-2024 |
|
Pre-Application Announcement Email - Notice #2 |
8-21-2024 |
|
Pre-Application Announcement Email - Notice #3 |
8-28-2024 |
|
Pre-Application Virtual Workshop |
8-29-2024 |
|
Final Reminder Regarding Application Due Date |
10-01-2024 |
|
Application Due Date |
10-04-2024 |
Under each email notification, an estimated 535 representatives from non-profit agencies, elected officials, advisory boards, interested businesses, and residents of the City were provided with information regarding the City’s Quality of Life and Community Development Block Grant opportunities. The City also contacted other area grant providers via email to share the City’s grant opportunities and published an advertisement and press release in The Beacon News. The Quality of Life grant opportunity was also advertised utilizing the City of Aurora’s social media accounts. The non-mandatory pre-application virtual workshop was attended by an estimated 109 representatives. The workshop was recorded and posted on the City’s website together with the workshop’s presentation slides.
The 2025 Quality of Life funding round closed on October 4, 2024, with 64 applicants requesting $2.25 million dollars, an increase of 15 applicants and $500,000 in funds from the City’s 2024 Quality of Life funding.
Community Services Department staff reviewed and scored each application to focus on the following criteria:
-Completeness and quality of the application.
-Budget including sources and uses.
-Grant management experience.
-Past performance.
-Ability to operate or carry on project with a reduced amount of funds.
-Performance metrics.
-Duplication of services.
-Ability to serve Aurora residents.
City staff also completed good standing checks with the City’s Division of Revenue and Collections, State of Illinois, Internal Revenue Service, and federal debarment registry to confirm each applicant’s funding eligibility. Numerous site visits and pre-application meetings were completed, and additional research was conducted to confirm the accuracy of the applicants’ described service areas and outcomes.
After a review of each application, City staff organized projects by the requested amount, funding availability, and funding proposal quality. For 2025, the Quality of Life (QOL) grant program saw an increase in recommended applications, with 50 now being proposed compared to 39 in 2024. Fourteen (14) applications are recommended for denial, an increase from 9 applications in 2024. A summary of each application received, the funding requested, and recommendations for funding have been attached (Exhibit A). Additional information including an agency description and detailed project proposal have also been included (Exhibit B). All awarded agencies, except those recommended for sponsorships, will be required to sign a contract and submit quarterly reports to receive payments. Failure to submit quarterly reports or to demonstrate direct service to Aurora clients will result in a reduction or denial of payment requests.
DISCUSSION:
Similar to prior years, the 2025 QOL Grant program will continue to evolve. City staff anticipates releasing a new automated reporting system in the 1st quarter of 2025. In addition to performance outcome metrics, the submittal of success stories will remain a priority and will be required as part of the QOL grantee’s 202 4th quarter progress report. The reports will further enhance accountability and transparency in funding utilization, helping the City to assess accomplishments and unmet needs while guiding future funding priorities.
In 2025, on-site project set up meetings for new QOL recipients will remain a priority to complete basic monitoring and when feasible, a tour of the funded program sites and facilities. Also new for 2025 is the establishment of 4 virtual quarterly meetings for all recipients of QOL to attend to discuss progress, share ideas, and further collaborate. Failure to attend at least 1 of these quarterly meetings will result in a loss of 25% of a QOL award. The results of set-up meetings, as well as quarterly progress reports will be further utilized to increase partnerships, reduce duplication of services, and increase further collaboration between the City and its partners.
Account numbers where funds have been requested for 2025 budget:
101-1302-419.53-25 - $100,000;
215-1302-419.53-25: $473,000;
215-1302-419.50-50: $14,000;
215-1370-440.50-30: $63,773;
215-1360-450.53-26: $123,000; and
255-3536-421.50-05: $127,000.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
The 2025 QOL Grants will support 50 activities. These funds will support a wide variety of agencies and fund programs such as youth services, senior services, job training, literacy services, museums, persons with special needs care, and other programs benefitting the residents of Aurora.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff recommends adoption of this Resolution authorizing the funding of the 2025 Quality of Life Grants in the amount of $910,773.
cc: Public Health, Safety and Transportation Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution Approving the 2025 Quality of Life Grants in the Amount of $910,773.
body
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora's Quality of Life Grant program has supported dozens local non-profits since 2008, and
WHEREAS, the Quality of Life Grant program has helped serve thousands of people, and
WHEREAS, the financial support of local partners is critical to continue to provide a wide range of programs and services, and
WHERAS, the Block Grant Working Committee has reviewed the 2025 QOL applications and made recommendations for funding for 2025, and
WHEREAS, funds are requested in the 2025 budget in the following accounts: 101-1302-419.53-25: $100,000; 215-1302-419.53-25: $473,000; 215-1302-419.50-50: $14,000; 215-1370-440.50-30: $63,773; 215-1360-450.53-26: $123,000; and
255-3536-421.50-05: $127,000.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: subject to the approval of this item in the 2025 budget, the 2025 Quality of Life Grants are approved and incorporated as part of the 2025 City of Aurora Annual Budget.